Sir Peter Fahy, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, will not be prosecuted over one of his officers shooting dead an unarmed suspect after the case against him was dropped today at Liverpool Crown Court.

He told ITV News: "He should be suspended as these are serious allegations. This is not a disciplinary issue we're talking about here, but a potential criminal investigation."

The Labour politician added that he was in no doubt that if another frontline officer faced such serious allegations they would be suspended.

Sir Peter Fahy has been served with a criminal and gross misconduct notice in relation to his "alleged support to an allegedly poorly-handled investigation into a suspected sex offender", the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said.

Danczuk said: "The leadership of Greater Manchester Police risks damaging public trust in the force. Sir Peter says he has done nothing wrong and is confident his name will be cleared. But he should be suspended while that process takes place."

Greater Manchester Police chief constable Sir Peter Fahy has been served with a criminal and gross misconduct notice in relation to his "alleged support to an allegedly poorly-handled investigation into a suspected sex offender", the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said.

Another serving officer has been handed a gross misconduct notice following the investigations - prompted by allegations made by a whistleblower - for his oversight in the disposal of body parts belonging to victims of serial killer Harold Shipman.

The IPCC inquiry was broken down into three investigations - claims concerning Shipman's victims, allegations against a detective chief inspector, and claims concerning a sexual abuse investigation.

Sir Peter, a detective superintendent and a detective chief inspector, all serving, have been handed criminal and gross misconduct notices in relation to the investigation into the suspected sex offender. A retired officer will also be served with a criminal and gross misconduct notice over his role in this investigation.

Sir Peter Fahy has said that some people find the court process more traumatic than the original offence they claim to have suffered.

The Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable said:

"We may have to look at the whole system of justice and the way that we deal with victims who've been through such an awful process. Because clearly for some they are finding the court process almost more traumatic than the original offence that they were subject to."

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The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police has said there is "huge concern" that Britons returning from Syria could pose a threat when they are back in the UK.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Sir Peter Fahy said those stopped at the border would be put into "programmes" run by police and local agencies to "try and make sure they're not a threat to this country".

He said that returning UK nationals "may well be charged and investigated" as well.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy is accused of failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act as he is "corporation sole" for the force, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

This is a legal status and means that he does not share criminal liability or will personally have to appear in court.